Event Details
After making a refueling stop, the pilot took off at night and climbed to a cruising altitude of FL200. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the right engine fuel filter bypass warning light illuminated. About two minutes later, the same warning light for the left engine illuminated. Shortly thereafter, the right engine lost power, followed by the left engine. The pilot executed a forced landing on a moving ice pack in the Bering Sea, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Fuel Contamination
Subsequent examination revealed ice in the engine and main fuel screens. Significant amounts of water and/or ice were found in three fuel tanks that had been refueled before takeoff. A higher than normal amount of water was also present in the fuel sample taken from the nozzle of the refueling tanker.
According to the flight manual, an approved ice inhibitor must be added to the fuel if it is not premixed. The fuel obtained at the refueling stop was not premixed, and the pilot did not have any icing inhibitor (Prist) with him on this flight. The pilot did not drain fuel from the tanks during the preflight inspection because, due to the extremely cold temperature, he feared that the drain might freeze open.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was fuel starvation due to improper refueling procedures by the FBO personnel, inadequate preflight by the pilot, and resultant ice in the fuel, which blocked fuel flow to the engines. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.